Monday

It was a special signing day Monday for Kent State University basketball coach Rob Senderoff and the Golden Flashes team.

With about 50 family, friends and fans looking on, Team Impact star Malyk Foster took pen in hand and — with a little help from his mom, Danielle Foster — agreed to join the Golden Flashes.

To say Coach Senderoff and the Flashes were excited about Malyk, a Kent resident, signing the letter of intent would be an understatement.

"It's a big, big day," the coach said. "We started recruiting Malyk during the summer."

Malyk's road to the Kent State men's basketball team started a couple of years ago, when the 5-year-old, soon-to-be kindergartner was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Most patients survive the rare form of cancer, but some develop lifelong problems. Malyk was not able to attend preschool because of his illness, his mom said.

Team Impact, a Boston-based organization dedicated to helping children with chronic and severe illnesses, hooked up Malyk with Kent State.

Golden Flashes forward Philip Whittington spoke for the team.

"We are excited to add a strong and brave boy to our family," Whittington said.

Danielle Foster said her son was nervous before the signing, but excited about joining the Golden Flashes.

To help calm his nerves, Malyk "spent most of his day on his iPad," his mother said.

She said that despite her son's shyness, he was revved up for Monday's big event.

"He loves it," she said. "Once he warms up, he's a go-getter."

During a brief question-and-answer session, Malyk indicated that he doesn't expect to start in his first game, that he doesn't have a favorite player, and that the Flashes are his favorite team.

Although he likes football and will attend Kent games this season, Malyk's favorite sport is basketball, his mom said.

Joined by his mother, two sisters and cousins, Malyk took photos for the media and waved to his friends and fans.

His mother said she's overwhelmed by the kindness and enthusiasm shown by Kent State and Malyk's tall teammates.

"This touches my heart ... it's amazing to me," she said. "I cry every time I hear about it."

As a member of the Golden Flashes men's basketball team, Malyk will provide moral support on the bench and demonstrate the toughness for which he's become known and respected.

After the news conference, Malyk took to the basketball court at Kent State's MAC arena to show his skills.

He didn't have a hot hand on Monday, but showed the kind of team player he'll be by tossing assists to his grateful teammates.

"To have a young man like Malyk makes it special," Senderoff said.

Alan Ashworth can be reached at 330-996-3859 or emailed at aashworth@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconjournal.

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